Niali: Several villagers of Dihasithala under Naiali tehsil today claimed to have trapped a jackal like canine which they said was the ‘mysterious animal’ killing sheep in several villages in Niali and its nearby areas.

The villagers said that about four other such animals escaped from the spot surrounded by bushes.

Meanwhile, the Co-ordinator of Wildlife Trust Of India, Sabyasachi Rath on examination of the animal caught by the villagers said that it was not the mysterious animal targeting sheep. He said that instead it was a baby jackal.

Rath has requested Forest department officials to release the baby jackal to its natural habitation.